Responsible sourcing is the main theme that will be discussed at a seminar hosted by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) at the Baselworld fair on Thursday 27 March, according to press release by RJC. The session entitled “Responsible Sourcing: How the new RJC Code of Practices (COP) and key industry initiatives support a responsible supply chain” will gather manufacturers, retailers, RJC Members, prospective members and key stakeholders.
Welcomed by James Courage, RJC Chairman and moderated by RJC’s Interim CEO, Catherine Sproule, the panel comprises leading industry speakers. Challenges and responses around responsible sourcing from mine to retail, conflict minerals initiatives and synthetic diamonds will be addressed.
Participants will hear Dr Fiona Solomon, RJC Director – Standards Development, summarise the new RJC COP 2013, with a focus on Provenance Claims and human rights due diligence. The Head of Trade Promotion of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO, Hans-Peter Egler, will discuss sourcing programmes with mining companies. Representatives from Member organisations will continue on the theme with Nawal Ait-Hocine giving her views from a Luxury brand perspective.
The importance of harmonisation and collaboration across standards and initiatives to create operational efficiencies will be discussed from a producer and from a retailer’s perspective with Feriel Zerouki of the De Beers Group and Philip Olden, Consultant to Signet Jewelers Ltd respectively. And, Stephen Morisseau, of the Gemological Institute of America will address the topic of synthetic diamonds from a laboratory perspective.
“Conflict minerals legislation, synthetic diamonds and a keen focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR) is collectively driving increased due diligence in the jewellery supply chain. Our Members are committed to RJC’s vision of a responsible global jewellery and watch supply chain. The panel is a representation of the supply chain and each bring expertise and knowledge of supply chain issues at respective touch points,” says Sproule.
Olga Patseva, Editor in Chief of the American Bureau, Rough&Polished
